[Photo] Ohtani smiles ahead of Korea-Japan showdown

On the 7th at the Tokyo Dome in Japan, the Group C group stage game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) between Korea and Japan was held.

Korea started submarine Ko Young-pyo, and Japan started left-hander Kikuchi Yusei. Korea, which reached the semifinals in 2006 and finished runner-up in 2009 at the WBC, has since failed to advance past the first round in three straight tournaments (2013, 2017, 2023). In this tournament, the team is aiming to return to the quarterfinal knockout stage. On the 5th in the opener against the Czech Republic, the team got off to a good start with a lopsided 11-4 win.

Japan's Ohtani Shohei enters with a smile. Mar. 7, 2026

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